It seems yes is the answer to the question of whether Battlefield 3 will require the use of EA's new Origin service, even for users who purchase a physical copy of DICE's upcoming military shooter sequel. A question on Twitter directed at Global Battlefield Community Manager Daniel Matros asked "If we get the DVD version of BF3 do we still have to use Origin?" This was followed by another attempt, asking: "What about the rumors spreading on the forums that we need origin to play BF3 if we have the DVD?" These inspired the following reply: "Yes those 'rumors' are true :)." Thanks Teddy via BF3Blog.

necrosis wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 16:03:No ingame browser? Have to login through the web? Plugins? Sounds like LAN play without a internet connection is shot too.

Well that sealed the deal.

NO SALE

There was a lot of people complaining about it on the alpha discussion forums but I would say it was split 50/50 as to those who were okay with it an those who weren't. It's going to be a hard sell for DICE to make this kind of switch from the way things have been done traditionally on the PC.

I would say it wasn't the biggest issue, neither was having to run "Origin".

More people were bemoaning the lack of a "commo rose" for communicating with other players, you know like pressing the Q key to have a pop up menu where you can issue voice commands like "Go go go" or "thanks". This isn't going to happen either, it uses the same system that Bad Company 2 used - if you highlight on a friendly medic then hit the Q key it gives the appropriate "I need a medic" response.

They also "streamlined" the squad system, at least in the alpha it was really dumbed down, you couldn't see other squads or make new ones it was sort of automated.

The beta will be out and everyone can decide for themselves if the changes they've made either piss you off to high heaven or you can "deal with it". The core gameplay was rather fun but if you're expecting Battlefield 2 with improved graphics and destruction then brace yourself for something more like Bad Company 2.5 with bigger maps.